The West’s water worries (3 letters)

I enjoyed the article by Mark Jaffe in last Sunday’s Denver Post. He points out that as early as 1878 there was a study by Congress which pinpointed the lack of water in the West. However, nothing has been done since then to handle unrestrained growth.

Every mayor and governor I am aware of has promoted growth and supported development, except perhaps Gov. Richard Lamm, who was ahead of his time. All they brag about is how many jobs and businesses they have brought to the state during their tenure. They never let us in on the little secret that more people need more water, nor do they suggest where this water will come from. Just keep more people coming to our state.

There is a great misunderstanding by these elected officials that more people means more tax money. These elected officials do not point out that more people need more services, more schools and more water.

Shirley Schley, Denver

This letter was published in the Jan. 13 edition.

Thanks for Sunday’s great writings about water in the West. Although there has been remarkable strides in conservation efforts, there remains an amazing number of careless (read “care less”) water users in the Denver metropolitan area. Continuing information will take us a long way to improving our water attitudes, but history tells us that, eventually, dramatically more realistic water rates will have to be instigated to get everyone into this pipeline.

Joe Megeath, Denver

This letter was published in the Jan. 13 edition.

According to last Sunday’s paper, we have a water shortage so severe that extreme measures are being contemplated. Yet an article the next day says that the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) supports limited testing of water around drilling sites, storage tanks and pipelines (“Water testing limited,” Jan. 7 news story). The industry does not dispute that fracking uses a large quantity of water and renders it unable to be reclaimed and reused.

Why are companies allowed to permanently remove this scarce resource from our environment? Does anyone think the revenue the state receives from severance taxes and land leases will replace clean water for the citizens of Colorado?
The COGCC is charged with protecting and supporting the oil and gas industry. Why does such a profitable industry need a state agency dedicated to its promotion? If the administration is intent on promoting short-term profits to the detriment of long-term quality of life, then it might be time for a ballot initiative to protect our water supply, health and environment.

Mary Casper, Bailey

This letter was published in the Jan. 13 edition.

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